Cleaning system for a lidar sensor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning system (10) for a lidar sensor (200), comprising a cleaning arm (12) which is configured to clean a field of view (202) of the lidar sensor (200), a drive system (14), wherein the drive system (14) has at least one drive unit (16) and a transmission unit (18), wherein the drive unit (16) is configured to drive the transmission unit (18), wherein the transmission unit (18) is configured to displace the cleaning arm (12) across the field of view in order to clean it, wherein the drive system (14) has a compensation unit (20) which is configured to reduce a force and / or a torque which is transmitted to the drive unit (16).

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning system for a lidar sensor and a vehicle.

[0002] There are currently a variety of different solutions for cleaning sensor surfaces in the automotive sector. Due to the increasing number of sensor surfaces in the automotive sector and the increased quality requirements, the need for innovative and robust cleaning methods is continuously growing.

[0003] The constant weight reduction in the vehicle sector to reduce fuel consumption as well as increasing competition is creating cost pressure, so that cheaper and more efficient components for vehicles are in greater demand. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] The cleaning system according to the invention for a lidar sensor with the features of claim 1 has the advantage over known systems that the compensation unit can improve the trouble-free operation of the cleaning system and reduce the load on the drive system, in particular the drive unit. This can further increase the overall service life of the cleaning system. A further advantage is that, in the event that the cleaning arm is deflected by environmental influences, particularly three-dimensionally, these forces and torque are not transmitted to the drive unit.This can be particularly advantageous in the case that when the drive unit moves the cleaning arm along the field of view and the cleaning arm is deflected against the direction of movement, there is no breakage or similar in the transmission unit, since the force and / or torque of the drive unit can be resolved by means of the compensation unit.

[0005] This is achieved according to the invention in that the cleaning system for a lidar sensor has a cleaning arm configured to clean a field of view of the lidar sensor. Furthermore, the cleaning system has a drive system, wherein the drive system has at least one drive unit and a transmission unit, wherein the drive unit is configured to drive the transmission unit, wherein the transmission unit is configured to displace the cleaning arm across the field of view in order to clean it, wherein the drive system has a compensation unit configured to reduce a force and / or a torque transmitted to the drive unit.

[0006] In other words, a compensation unit can transmit a force and / or torque from the drive unit to the transmission unit in order to be able to move the cleaning arm across the field of view of the lidar sensor, but at the same time reduce and / or suppress a force and / or torque that is transmitted from the cleaning arm and / or the transmission unit to the drive unit, for example, when environmental influences affect the cleaning arm. For example, the drive unit of the drive system can be an electric motor or similar. The transmission unit and the drive system can be, for example, a belt drive or similar.Preferably, the compensation unit can be arranged between the drive unit and the transmission unit, so that the compensation unit can transmit a torque from the drive unit to the transmission unit and at the same time the drive unit is protected by means of the compensation unit, since the compensation unit cannot transmit a force and / or a torque which acts, for example, on the cleaning arm or on the transmission unit.

[0007] The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

[0008] Preferably, the compensation unit is configured to absorb a force and / or a torque acting on the cleaning arm and / or the transmission unit in such a way that the force and / or the torque only partially acts on the drive unit.

[0009] An advantage of this embodiment is that the compensation unit can absorb the temporarily increased torque or a temporarily high force, for example by means of an elastic deformation or the like, so that it is not passed on to the drive unit.

[0010] Further preferably, the compensation unit comprises a first jaw element and a second jaw element, wherein the first jaw element is connected to the drive unit and the second jaw element is arranged on the transmission unit, wherein the first jaw element and the second jaw element at least temporarily form a positive and / or non-positive connection for transmitting a drive torque.

[0011] An advantage of this embodiment is that, with the aid of the first jaw element and / or the second jaw element, a drive torque of the drive unit can be transmitted to the cleaning arm and it can be ensured that no environmental influences or the like act on the drive unit. For example, the first jaw element can have a recess and the second jaw element can have a protrusion, wherein the recess and the protrusion can engage with one another in order to form the force-locking and / or form-locking connection. Furthermore, the first jaw element can be pressed onto the second jaw element, for example by means of a spring element or the like.

[0012] Preferably, a guide element is arranged between the first jaw element and the second jaw element, wherein the guide element is designed to reduce the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque by means of an elastic deformation of the guide element.

[0013] An advantage of this embodiment is that, by means of the elastic deformation, a short-term peak or similar in the force and / or torque can be compensated without having to interrupt the drive of the cleaning arm. Preferably, the guide element can be made of a plastic or similar material in order to be able to provide elastic deformation.

[0014] Further preferably, the compensation unit is configured to release the positive connection in order to reduce the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque.

[0015] An advantage of this embodiment is that by means of the dissolution of the positive connection, such as slipping between the first jaw element and the second jaw element, a force and / or a torque acting on the cleaning arm and / or the transmission unit is not completely transmitted to the drive unit.

[0016] Further preferably, the compensation unit comprises a first clamping element, a second clamping element and a torsion element, wherein the first clamping element is arranged on the drive unit, wherein the second clamping element is arranged on the transmission unit, wherein the torsion element is arranged between the first clamping element and the second clamping element, wherein the torsion element is configured to reduce the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque by elastic deformation of the torsion element.

[0017] An advantage of this embodiment is that, thanks to the clamping elements, the compensation unit can be easily mounted to the drive unit and the transmission unit, thus further reducing the manufacturing costs of the cleaning system. For example, the torsion element can be a coil spring or similar, so that when an increased torque acts on the second clamping element via the transmission unit and / or the cleaning arm, this torque is dampened before being transmitted to the drive unit.

[0018] Preferably, the compensation unit comprises a first fluid element and a second fluid element, wherein the first fluid element and the second fluid element delimit a fluid space which is filled with a fluid, wherein the fluid is configured to at least temporarily provide a force-locking connection between the first fluid element and the second fluid element, wherein the fluid is configured to release the force-locking connection when the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque exceed a predetermined limit value.

[0019] An advantage of this design is that a fluid coupling is particularly low-friction, resulting in a long service life for the compensation unit, thus extending the operating life of the cleaning system. For example, the fluid can be an oil or similar. If a force is transmitted from the cleaning arm or the transmission unit to the drive unit, the properties of the fluid, for example its viscosity, can be used to adjust when the fluid breaks the force-locking connection.

[0020] Preferably, the drive unit has a first disc, wherein the transmission unit has a second disc, wherein the compensation unit has a force-conducting element which forms a force-locking and / or form-locking connection with the first disc and the second disc, wherein the force-conducting element is designed to release the force-locking and / or form-locking connection when the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque exceeds a predetermined limit value.

[0021] An advantage of this embodiment is that, using simple means, such as two pulleys and a force-conducting element, such as a belt drive, the drive unit can be protected from overloading, as the force-conducting element slips through to the first pulley and / or on the second pulley, thus preventing damage. For example, the force-conducting element can be a belt drive, and the first pulley and the second pulley can be a type of gear, so that a force-locking and / or positive-locking connection can be formed between the first pulley, the second pulley, and the force-conducting element.

[0022] Further preferably, the force-conducting element is configured to transmit a drive torque of the drive unit to the transmission unit in order to displace the cleaning arm.

[0023] An advantage of this design is that the number of required components can be further reduced by means of functional integration while still protecting the drive unit from damage.

[0024] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle having a cleaning system as described above and below. Short description of the drawings

[0025] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing: Fig. 1 to 7 a cleaning system according to an embodiment, Fig. 8 a vehicle according to an embodiment. Embodiments of the invention

[0026] Preferably, all identical components, elements and / or units in all figures are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment. The cleaning system 10 for a lidar sensor 200 has a cleaning arm 12, which is configured to clean a field of view 202 of the lidar sensor 200. Furthermore, the cleaning system 10 has a drive system 14, wherein the drive system 14 has at least one drive unit 16 and a transmission unit 18, wherein the drive unit 16 is configured to drive the transmission unit 18, wherein the transmission unit 18 is configured to displace the cleaning arm 12 across the field of view in order to clean it, wherein the drive system 14 has a compensation unit 20, which is configured to reduce a force and / or a torque transmitted to the drive unit 16.

[0028] Preferably, the compensation unit 20 is configured to absorb a force and / or a torque acting on the cleaning arm 12 and / or the transmission unit 18 in such a way that the force and / or the torque only partially acts on the drive unit 16.

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment. The cleaning system 10 comprises a drive system 14 with a compensation unit 20. The compensation unit 20 preferably comprises a first jaw element 22 and a second jaw element 24. Further preferably, a guide element 26 is arranged between the first jaw element 22 and the second jaw element 24, wherein the guide element 26 is configured to reduce the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque by means of an elastic deformation of the guide element 26.

[0030] Fig. 3 shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment. The cleaning system 10 comprises a drive system 14 with a drive unit 16 and a transmission unit 18. As shown in the Fig. 3, the second jaw element 24 is arranged on the drive unit 16. Preferably, the first jaw element 22 is arranged on the transmission unit 18. More preferably, the guide element 26 is arranged between the first jaw element 22 and the second jaw element 24. Thus, a torque can be transmitted from the drive unit 16 to the transmission unit 18, and a torque acting on the transmission unit 18 can be reduced so that it is not passed on to the drive unit 16.

[0031] Fig. 4 shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment. The cleaning system 10 preferably has a drive system 14 with a compensation unit 20. The compensation unit 20 preferably has a first clamping element 28 and a second clamping element 30. The first clamping element 28 can preferably be arranged on the drive unit 16 and the second clamping element 30 can be arranged on the transmission unit 18. A torsion element 32 is preferably arranged between the first clamping element 28 and the second clamping element 30, such that the torsion element 32 can reduce the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque.

[0032] Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the cleaning system 10. The cleaning system 10 has a drive unit 16 and a transmission unit 18, which can form a drive system 14. As in the Fig. 5, the first clamping element 28 is arranged on the drive unit 16 and the second clamping element 30 on the transmission unit 18. Preferably, the torsion element 32, such as a spiral spring or the like, is arranged between the first clamping element 28 and the second clamping element 30.

[0033] Fig. 6a shows an embodiment of the cleaning system 10. The cleaning system 10 preferably has a drive system 14, which comprises a drive unit 16 and / or a transmission unit 18. Preferably, the drive system 14 has a compensation unit 20, which, as in Fig. 6a, comprises a first fluid element 34 and a second fluid element 36. The first fluid element 34 and the second fluid element 36 can define a fluid chamber 38 in which a fluid is arranged. The fluid can be configured to at least temporarily release the force-locking connection between the first fluid element 34 and the second fluid element 36 if the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque exceed a predetermined limit value.

[0034] Fig. 6b shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment. The cleaning system 10 comprises a drive system 14 with a compensation unit 20. The compensation unit 20 can have a first fluid element 34 and a second fluid element 36, which are arranged, in particular, rotatably relative to one another. Furthermore, the first fluid element 34 and the second fluid element 36 can delimit a fluid chamber 38 in which a fluid is arranged or the fluid chamber 38 is filled with the fluid.

[0035] Fig. 7 shows a cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The cleaning system 10 is, as shown in Fig. 7, preferably arranged on a lidar sensor 200, which has a field of view 202. The cleaning system 10 can preferably clean the field of view 202 by means of the cleaning arm 12. The cleaning arm 12 can be displaced across the field of view 202 using the drive system 14. The drive system 14 preferably has a drive unit 16 with a first disk 38. The transmission unit 18 preferably has a second disk 40, wherein the compensation unit 20 has a force-conducting element 42, which can form a force-locking and / or form-locking connection with the first disk 38 and the second disk 40. The force-conducting element 42 is preferably configured to release the force-locking and / or form-locking connection if the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque exceeds a predetermined limit value.

[0036] Fig.Figure 8 shows a vehicle 100 according to one embodiment. The vehicle 100 preferably has a cleaning system 10, as described above and below. More preferably, the vehicle 100 has a lidar sensor 200.

Claims

[1] Cleaning system (10) for a lidar sensor (200), comprising: - a cleaning arm (12) which is configured to clean a field of view (202) of the lidar sensor (200), and - a drive system (14), - wherein the drive system (14) comprises at least one drive unit (16) and one transmission unit (18), - wherein the drive unit (16) is adapted to drive the transmission unit (18), - wherein the transmission unit (18) is configured to move the cleaning arm (12) over the field of view (202) in order to clean it, and - wherein the drive system (14) has a compensation unit (20) which is configured to reduce a force and / or a torque which is transmitted to the drive unit (16). [2] Cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the compensation unit (20) is configured to absorb a force and / or a torque acting on the cleaning arm (12) and / or the transmission unit (18) in such a way that the force and / or the torque only partially acts on the drive unit (16). [3] Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the compensation unit (20) has a first jaw element (22) and a second jaw element (24), wherein the first jaw element (22) is connected to the drive unit (16) and the second jaw element (24) is arranged on the transmission unit (18), wherein the first jaw element (22) and the second jaw element (24) at least temporarily form a positive and / or non-positive connection for transmitting a drive torque. [4] Cleaning system (10) according to claim 3, wherein a guide element (26) is arranged between the first jaw element (22) and the second jaw element (24), wherein the guide element (26) is configured to reduce the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque by means of an elastic deformation of the guide element (26). [5] Cleaning system (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the compensation unit (20) is configured to release the positive connection in order to reduce the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque. [6] Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the compensation unit (20) comprises a first clamping element (28), a second clamping element (30) and a torsion element (32), - wherein the first clamping element (28) is arranged on the drive unit (16), - wherein the second clamping element (30) is arranged on the transmission unit (18), - wherein the torsion element (32) is arranged between the first clamping element (28) and the second clamping element (30), - wherein the torsion element (32) is configured to reduce the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque by elastic deformation of the torsion element (32). [7] Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the compensation unit (20) comprises a first fluid element (34) and a second fluid element (36), - wherein the first fluid element (34) and the second fluid element (36) define a fluid space (38) which is filled with a fluid, - wherein the fluid is designed to at least temporarily provide a force-locking connection between the first fluid element (34) and the second fluid element (36), - wherein the fluid is configured to release the force-locking connection when the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque exceed a predetermined limit value. [8] Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the drive unit (16) has a first disc (38), - wherein the transmission unit (18) has a second disc (40), - wherein the compensation unit (20) has a force-conducting element (42) which forms a force-locking and / or form-locking connection with the first disc (38) and the second disc (40), wherein the force-conducting element (42) is designed to release the force-locking and / or form-locking connection when the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque exceeds a predetermined limit value. [9] Cleaning system (10) according to claim 8, - wherein the force-conducting element (42) is configured to transmit a drive torque of the drive unit (16) to the transmission unit (18) in order to displace the cleaning arm (22). [10] Vehicle (100) comprising a cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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